Friends, family remember school shooting victims
SANTA FE, Texas — A history buff who wanted to join the Army and an artistic student who liked red hair dye were among the 10 people killed at a Texas high school.
Family members and friends of the eight students and two teachers fatally shot Friday fondly remembered their loved ones. They used such words as sweet, hardworking and loving.
At least 13 others were injured in the attack at the high school in Santa Fe, about 30 miles southeast of Houston. A 17-year-old student, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, is being held on capital murder charges.
Here are three victims’ stories: of the
described himself as a history junkie who wanted to join the Army. Student Jai Gillard, a freshman, told The Associated Press that Garcia always sat next to her in art class, and had asked her on a date recently. She said he was “always happy” and “very sweet.” Gillard said that after they heard gunshots and smelled gunpowder Friday, she and Garcia and other students piled into a closet and that Garcia used his body as a “barricade” against the closet door to keep the shooter from entering.
was a Girl Scout with a penchant for red hair dye. After the shooting, Vaughan’s mother, Rhonda Hart, urged people on Facebook to contact their elected representatives. A former Army watercraft operator, Hart called for gun control, saying “we need to protect our kids.” She also invited other service members to “speak up” for her daughter. Hart said Monday on Facebook that one way to honor Vaughan would be to apply some red hair dye. Hart said Vaughan “loved those colors in her hair.” Vaughan’s grandfather, Ralph Vaughan, told the AP he’s upset that the accused gunman will not punishment. face capital
had been a substitute teacher at Santa Fe High School, where her grandchildren are students. Student Jay Mann, a junior, told the Houston Chronicle that Perkins always had a smile on her face, took the time to learn students’ names and became part of the fabric of the school. Mann says Perkins had a great attitude and “never got mad at anybody for doing something stupid.”